Back to normal: Prolonged curfew lifted in North Waziristan

Security forces imposed the restriction after a militant attack.

BANNU: Residents of Datta Khel, North Waziristan Agency are free to move about once again as a curfew imposed for the past 20 days was lifted on Saturday.

According to an official of the political administration, the prolonged curfew was lifted in the morning and markets began to reopen soon as life returned to normal.



The curfew had been imposed in early January in Datta Khel and its surroundings after unidentified militants fired several rockets on a security forces camp in the area. According to independent sources, the security forces had retaliated and later imposed a curfew for an indefinite period.

Insiders added a jirga had tried to negotiate with officials of the security forces a few days ago but the dialogue had failed. However, subsequent talks were successful and the curfew was lifted.

Said Alam, a local, told journalists over the phone that the curfew had caused many problems for residents, including shortage of food and water.



Another tribesman, Gul Ajab Khan, said they were not even allowed to take ailing family members to a doctor because they had been told anyone leaving their house during the restriction would be shot.

Locals have welcomed the security forces’ decision to lift the curfew and many thronged to the markets during the day to stock up on their domestic supplies.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2015.